Caste politics

Refer to ‘Triumph of caste politics’ (Nous Indica); the Bihar verdict is a vindication of the harsh political reality that caste, read religion, is a paramount politically dominant and driving force in the country. For that matter, politics is subject to logical conclusions in no country or society. Wherever human element is involved, the X-factor plays a vital role that defies all political predictions and baffles political pundits. The verdict can be a boon as well as a bane for the people of Bihar. From this cliffhanger, the NDA can learn lessons in ‘gathbandhan dharma’. This election outcome is going to have repercussions for national politics.

DV Sharma, Mukerian

Bihar verdict

The people of Bihar deserve kudos for showing maturity and giving another chance to incumbent Nitish Kumar. The credit also goes to the senior leadership of the BJP for showing magnanimity towards Nitish Kumar, despite becoming the second largest party in the keenly contested elections. It is the poor performance of the Congress which is responsible for keeping the Mahagathbandhan away from the majority mark for which it only has itself to blame.

Ravinder Kumar Jain, Ludhiana

Students in despair

Apropos of ‘Bright life snuffed out’, we have entered the era of online education. The prerequisites like smartphones, computers and the Internet must be made easily available to all. The increasing economic and digital gap is telling upon students, especially those who are finding it difficult to cope with modern, digital requirements of online education. Their struggle is bringing instability in the minds of students. The government must come out with effective and supportive educational measures towards e-learning.

KRITIKA MADAN, CHANDIGARH

Women’s empowerment

‘Changes in PRIs’ is a welcome initiative which has come from the state which is usually condemned for its patriarchal views. This amendment can serve as a revolution in the involvement of transgenders in Indian polity as it makes provisions for transgenders to be sarpanch in a cyclic manner. Another encouraging aspect for Indians is the recent National Family Health Survey which shows increasing acceptance of daughters. This shows that the turbulent wind blowing across India can change into a positive outcome.

Jashan Goyal, Bathinda

Return of the virus

Refer to ‘Covid resurgence’; the Delhi government has attributed the surge to people letting down their guard during the festive season, and also pollution. Governments in many states like Kerala, and particularly Bihar, where election rallies lacked caution, have failed to correct glitches in their anti-Covid strategy. With the festive season spike beginning to strain medical facilities, the ‘ad hocism’ of governments like that of Delhi seems to be resurfacing. It will do well to revisit the city’s experiences of the past and course-correct it.

PS KAUR, by mail

Way to losses

Though the Amritsar railway station wears a deserted look due to the ‘rail roko’ agitation by farmer unions, the railway authorities, going by the old routine, have opened up one extra reservation window and increased the platform staff in anticipation of the Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger rush. This is how the PSUs incur financial losses.

Naresh Mohan Johar, Amritsar

Ban the only way

Strict laws against crackers are necessary considering that we have to achieve a net zero in our carbon dioxide emission level by 2050 to stay below 1.5% rise in global temperature (‘6-yr jail for bursting firecrackers in NCR’). The festive season is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in this country. Climate change is not solely about smog in Delhi or poor air quality, it’s about survival of mankind. It’s time people realise there is no planet B.

Prateek Sachdeva, Mohali

Hope of a new start

Refer to the ‘Thought for the day’ — Every moment is a fresh beginning — It is interesting to think that you can start anew with each passing moment. You can let go of the past, let go of whatever is holding you back and start doing again whatever you want to do. It is refreshing to know the present is not entirely enmeshed in the past and your future is created moment by moment. If you have been mired in doubt and hesitation to start a new project or to mend a relationship because of the things that have happened to you in the past, remember that this moment is totally new and you can move in the direction you want to go.

Faqir Singh, Dasuya

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